Power operated shaver having reversible cutters



Nov. 24, 1964 R. N. sTol-:HR

POWER OFERATED SHAVER HAVING REVERSIBLE CUTTERS Filed April 13, 1962 United States Patent O 3,57,944 I'WER PERATED SHAVER HAVEN@ REVERSBEE CUTTERS Robert N, Sinclar, 2844 ith St. B, Moline, lll. Filed Apr. 13, i962, Ser. No. 187,431; 2 Claims. (Cl. 3ft-43.6)

The present invention relates to an electric shaver and, more particularly, to an electric shaver to be used with shaving lather or cream.

Conventional electric shavers employ a dry shaving process, that is, a beard conditioner is generally not used or, if it is, it is a special powder or rapidly evaporating liquid particularly adapted for dry shaving. Though dry shaving does not require water, it has some fundaiental disadvantages. In the rst place, the beard conditioners suitable for use in dry shaving do not condition the beard as effectively as the beard conditioners employed in wet shaving, i.e., the shaving lathers or creams used when shaving with a straight or safety razor. Therefore, a conventional electric shaver must be passed over the beard many times before the beard is cut, and even then a smooth shave is diiicult to obtain. In addition, since the beard is not properly softened, the conventional electric Shavers require more power than would be necessary if the more effective beard conditioners could be employed. However, conventional electric Shavers are not adapted to be used with shaving lathers or creams.

Secondly, conventional electric shavers cannot get close enough to the beard to eilect a close, even shave. in electric shavers it is necessary that the reciprocating shearing blades be enclosed in a shaving head. The shaving head has perforations therein through which the hairs of the beard extend and are therein sheared ott by the shearing blades. However, the shearing blades and shaving head in conventional electric Shavers must be spaced from one another, since contact between them would cause the parts to wear and create friction which would increase the power requirements of the shaver. Thus, the closest the beard may be shaven to the skin, by conventional electric shavers, is the thickness of the shaving head plus the distance between the shaving head and shearing blade.

Furthermore, the manner in which conventional electric shavers are constructed renders it impossible to conveniently shave small, sharply curved areas, such as immediately below the nose, and to obtain a distinct hair line for the sideburns.

lt is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electric shaver which overcomes these disadvantages of conventional dry shaving electric shavers.

lt is a further object of the present invention to provide an electric shaver which is adapted to be used with shaving lathers or creams employed when shaving with a straight or safety razor.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an electric shaver suitable for use with such shaving creams or lathers, wherein the shaving lather or cream prepares the beard for shaving and also lubricates the electric shaver, thereby reducing the power required to operate the electric shaver.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an electric shaver to be used with such shaving lathers or creams, said shaver having reversible cutters.

lt is a further object of the present invention to provide an electric shaver for use with such shaving lathers or creams, said electric shaver cutting the beard substantially as close to the skin as permit-ted by the thickness of the shaving head.

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It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an electric shaver for use with such shaving lathers or creams which is adapted for shaving those areas heretofore difcult lto reach or adequately cut with conventional electric Shavers.

These and other objects are accomplished by the electric shaver of the present invention which is adapted to shave a beard in conjunction with a shaving lather or cream ordinarily used in straight or safety razor shaving. The shaving lather prepares the beard for shaving and facilitates the ease with which the beard may be cut. ln addition, it lubricates the cutting blades and shaving head of the electric shaver of the present invention. In this manner, the amount of power required to drive the cutting blades is reduced and, in addition, contact between the cutting blades and shaving head is possible whereby a closer, smoother shave is obtained. Furthermore, the cutters of the present electric shaver are reversible and therefore do not require frequent sharpening. More specifically, the present invention is directed toward an electric shaver having two tubular shaving heads, each of which has a cutter therein, the shaver being driven by an electric motor attached thereto with a co-axial, flexible cable, said cutters rotating in opposite directions, each of said cutters having helically disposed, outwardly extending cutting blades with two cutting sides thereon, said blades having outer edges which conform substantially to the contour of the said interior of said shaving heads whereby hair extending through said holes in said shaving area is cut off by said cutting blades and said lather enters said shaving head to lubricate betwee the shaving head and the cutting blade, each of said cutters having rst and second ends, means on each of said first and second ends for connecting the respective cutter to its associated shaft whereby said cutter may be reversed to utilize both cutting sides of its blades.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, taken with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of an electric shaver embodying the features of the present invention, the electric shaver being illustrated connected to its auxiliary equipment which is shown schematically;

FIGURE 2 is a top cross-sectional view of the electric shaver illustrated in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of the electric shaver of FGURE l taken along line 3 3 of FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view of the electric shaver illustrated in FIGURE 1, taken along line 4-4 of FlGURE 2; and

FIGURE 5 is a top, partially cross-sectional assembly view of the electric shaver shown in FIGURE 1.

Referring to FIGURE l, the electric shaver of the present invention is indicated generally by reference numeral lil. The shaver lil is adapted to be used in conjunction with a shaving lather or cream. It is driven by an electric motor l2 through a coaxial, flexible cable le. The electric shaver lil has tubular shaving heads lr6 and 18 with shaving areas indicated generally by reference numerals 20 and 22, respectively. The shavingV lather lubricates cutters within the shaving heads 16 and i l, as well as conditioning the beard for shaving.

The electric motor l?. has a plug 24 which, when placed in an outlet 26, causes the electric shaver 10 t0 operate. lt will be understood that a switch or the like may be provided to turn the electric shaver 10 on or olf.

As seen in- FIGURES 1 5, the electric shaver 10 includes a housing 23, with a separable sealing wall Sil,

e# in which are mounted a driving roiler 34 and driven rollers 32 and 36. The longitudinal axes of the rollers 32, 34 and 36 are parallel and the driven rollers 32 and 36 are in peripheral, frictional contact with the driving roller 34. The rollers 32, 34 and 36 are iixedly mounted upon shafts 32a, 34a and 36a, respectively, which are supported by bearing or bushing assemblies 42 in the housing 2S and the sealing wall 36. The particular type of bearing assemblies employed forms no part of the present invention, however sealing type bearings are preferred to prevent liquid from entering the housing 28.

The inner cable (not shown) of the coaxial, flexible cable 14 is connected to the driving roller 34 through its shaft 34a whereby the rotary power from the motor 12 is transmitted through this inner cable directly to the driving roller 34. As the driving roller 34 rotates it drives the driven rollers 32 and 36 causing them to rotate in opposite directions. rThe driving roller 34 preferably has a rubber coating 35 or the like (see FIGURE 3) to insure proper frictional driving contact with the driven rollers 32 and 36.

The housing 2S, the sealing wall and the shaving heads 16 and 1S are secured together by means of screws or bolts 38. The shaving heads 16 and 13 are tubular members open at both ends. They are connected to one another by webs 4S and 50 which may be welded or otherwise suitably connected to the shaving heads 16 and 18. ri`he shafts 32a and 36a of the driven rollers 32 and 36, respectively, extend into the tubular shaving heads 18 and 16, respectively, and are threadably connected to cutters 44 and 46, respectively.

The shaving areas 2t) and 22 are formed by openings or perforations S2 through the shaving heads 16 and 18, respectively, the hairs or stubble of the beard passing into the openings 52 and being cut off by the rotating cutters 44 and 46. The shaving areas 20 and 22, as seen in FIGURE 1, are principally on the outermost surfaces of the shaving heads 16 and 18, respectively, and extend around the shaving heads 16 and 1S, respectively, about 180 to 270. Because the shaving heads 16 and 18 have an outside diameter in the range of about 1A inch to f/i inch the shaving arcas 20 and 22 work very effectively in areas difficult to shave, eg., below the nose. Furthermore they are therefore effective in cutting distinct hair lines for sideburns.

The cutters 44 and 46 are, in this instance, constructed identically and include a cylindrical base 54 with two radially extending cutting blades 56 which are helically disposed about the base 54. As the rotating cutting blades 56 pass over the openings 52 beneath the shaving areas 20 and 22 any hairs or stubble of beard extending into the shaving heads through the openings 52 will be severed by the cutting blades 56.

With respect to one another the cutting blades 56 on each base 54 are positioned 180 from one another wherever a transverse cross-section of the cutter is made.

Outer edges 56a of the cutting blades 56 conform substantially to the interior surface of the shaving heads 16 and 18. The circular arc formed by the rotation of the outer edges 56a has a diameter substantially the same as or slightly smaller than the diameter of the internal surface of the shaving heads 16 and 18. Therefore without the presence of water, shaving lather or the like the friction created between the rotating outer edges 56a and the interior of the shaving heads 16 and 18 would be excessive, causing large power requirements and rapid wear upon the cutting blades 56. However, when shaving with the shaver 10, lather or soap which has been applied to the beard enters the shaving heads 16 and 18 through the openings 52 and provides lubrication between the outer edges 56a of the cutting blades S6 and the interior of the shaving heads 16 and 18. In this manner, the amount of power required to drive the cutters 44 and 46 is minimized and the contact between the outer edges 56a and the shaving heads 16 and 18 effects a close shave, the cutters 44 and 46 being limited only by the thickness of the shaving heads.

As the driving roller 34 causes the driven rollers 32 and 36 to rotate in opposite directions, the cutters 44 and 46 will rotate in an opposite direction. ln this manner, the shaving areas 20 and 22 offer cutting action in different directions. This is advantageous as some portions of the beard are more easily cut by a cutter rotating in one direction, while other areas are more easily cut by a cutter rotating in another direction. The shaver 10 offers both types of cutting action.

The threaded engagement between the shaft 32a and the cutter 44 is properly selected so that the shaft 32a is rotated in the direction which makes it more securely engage the cutter 44. Likewise, the threaded engagement betwee the shaft 36a and the cutter 46 is appropriately elected so that the shaft 36a is rotated in the direction which makes it more securely engage the critter 46. The cutters 44 and 46 have threaded holes in both ends so that either end may be attached to the shafts 32a and 36a, respectively. in this manner, the cutters 44 are reversible and thus may utilize both sides of the cutting blades 56.

1t will be understood that the shafts 32a and 36a and the cutters 44 and 46, respectively, may be connected by any other suitable means without departing from the spirit of the invention.

FGURE 5 illustrates the manner in which the shaver 10 may be readily disassembled. The screws or bolts 33 are removed. The shaving heads 44 and 46 may then be slid o of and away from the cutters 44 and 46 if access to the cutters is desired. Likewise, if it is desired to remove the rollers, the housing 2S and thel sealing wall 30 may be separated and the rollers 32, 34 and 36 removed from their bearing assemblies 42.

It will be understood that the shaver 10 does not conduct electricity. No electricity flows from the motor 12 through the flexible coaxial cable 14. Therefore, the shaver 10 may be dipped in water to rinse out any lather which accumulates therein. In fact, it will generally be dipped in water before beginning to shave. Furthermore, if the shaver 10 is accidentally dropped into water no electrical shock will result.

The sealing member 30 and the bearing assemblies 42 prevent liquid and lather from getting into the housing 28, which would tend to reduce the frictional engagement between the rollers 32, 34 and 36. The shaving heads 16 and 18, the shafts 32a and 36a and the cutters 44 and 46 are constructed of water resistant, non-corrosion material, such as stainless steel or the like so as to prevent the water and lather from corroding the shaver 10. The housing 2S and the sealing wall 36 may be made of corrosion-resistant metal or plastic, as desired.

When shaving with the shaver 10 a shaving lather or cream is first applied to the beard. The shaver 10 is then generally dipped in water and actuated by placing the plug 24 into an outlet 26. The power from the motor 12 is transmitted through the inner covered cable of the coaxial cable 14 to the driving roller 34, causing it to rotate. The frictional engagement between the driving roller 34 and the rollers 32 and 36 effects their rotation and drives the shafts 32a and 36a and the cutters 44 and 46, respectively, in opposite directions. The shaving areas 20 or 22 are run over the beard by holding the housing 28 of the shaver 1G. By moving the shaving areas 20 or 22 across the beard the shaver 16 will rapidly cut the beard.

The shaving lather or cream assists in preparing the beard for cutting by softening the beard so that it is more easily cut by the rotating cutters 44 and 46. In addition, the lather enters the shaving heads 16 and 18 through the shaving areas and lubricates between the cutters 44 and 46 and the shaving heads 16 and 18, respectively, to reduce friction therebetween. In this manner the cutters 44 and 46 are able to cut as close `to the skin as the thickness of the shaving heads 16 and 18 will allow.

It will be understood that gears or the like may be employed instead of the rollers 32, 34 and 36. Furthermore it is obvious that various constructions of the housing and sealing wall may be employed, the specific construction illustrated in the figures being merely for easy access to the rollers 32, 34 and 36. Furthermore it will be understood that the mot-or 12 may be permanently mounted within the Wall of the bathroom such that the coaxial cable 14 need only be connected to the housing 2S to afford the rotary power necessary to drive the shaver 10.

While several embodiments described herein are at present considered to be preferred, it is understood that various modifications and improvements may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the .appended claims all such modifications and improvements as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is desired to be claimed and secured by letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A shaver for use in cooperation with a shaving lather or the like to cut a beard which includes a housing having mounted therein power transmitting means, two longitudinally extending, tubular shaving heads attached to said housing, each of said shaving heads having therein a cutter which is connected to a shaft, each of said shafts being connected to said power transmitting means, an electric motor connected to a coaxial, fexible cable, said cable transmitting rotational power from said motor -to said power transmitting means, said power transmitting means including means to rotate said cutters in opposite directions, each 0f said shaving heads having a shaving area having a plurality of holes which extend through said shaving heads and communicate with the inte-rior of said shaving heads, each of said cutters having helically disposed, outwardly extending cutting blades with two cutting sides thereon, said blades having outer edges which conform substantially to the contour of said incutting blades and said lather enters said shaving head to lubricate between the shaving head and the cutting blade, each of said cutters having iirst and second ends, means on each of said first and second ends for connecting the respective cutter to its associated shaft whereby said cutter may be reversed to utilize both cutting sides of its blades.

2. The shaver of claim 1 wherein said two tubular shaving heads are substantially parallel to one another, each of said shaving heads having a free end, said shaving areas of said shaving heads are on opposite sides of said shaving heads and at the free ends of said shaving heads.

References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 761,808 6/04 Allen 30'-41.5 1,014,187 l/l2 Travers 30-42 1,033,321 7/12 I-lislrey 30-41.5 1,350,227 8/20 Jones 30-41 1,353,160 9/20 Hanson 30-41 1,659,184 2/28 Bailey .3U-41.5 X 2,052,495 8/36 Sonne 3041.6 2,194,387 3/40 Greterman 30-43.6 2,243,441 5/ 41 Russell 30-43.2 2,289,447 7/42 Miller 30-43.6 2,298,962 10/42 Murphy .3G- 43.92 2,323,745 7/43 Wildeboor 30-43.6 2,461,858 2/49 Towers 'S0-43.1 3,089,236 5/63 Galvao 30-41.6

FOREIGN PATENTS 638,259 2/28 France.

WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

EDWARD V. BENI-IAM, Examiner. 

1. A SHAVER FOR USE IN COOPERATION WITH A SHAVING LATHER OR THE LIKE TO CUT A BEARD WHICH INCLUDES A HOUSING HAVING MOUNTED THEREIN POWER TRANSMITTING MEANS, TWO LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING, TUBULAR SHAVING HEADS ATTACHED TO SAID HOUSING, EACH OF SAID SHAVING HEADS HAVING THEREIN A CUTTER WHICH IS CONNECTED TO A SHAFT, EACH OF SAID SHAFTS BEING CONNECTED TO SAID POWER TRANSMITTING MEANS, AN ELECTRIC MOTOR CONNECTED TO A COAXIAL, FLEXIBLE CABLE, SAID CABLE TRANSMITTING ROTATIONAL POWER FROM SAID MOTOR TO SAID POWER TRANSMITTING MEANS, SAID POWER TRANSMITTING MEANS INCLUDING MEANS TO ROTATE SAID CUTTERS IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS, EACH OF SAID SHAVING HEADS HAVING A SHAVING AREA HAVING A PLURALITY OF HOLES WHICH EXTEND THROUGH SAID SHAVING HEADS AND COMMUNICATE WITH THE INTERIOR OF SAID SHAVING HEADS, EACH OF SAID CUTTERS HAVING HELICALLY DISPOSED, OUTWARDLY EXTENDING CUTTING BLADES WITH TWO CUTTING SIDES THEREON, SAID BLADES HAVING OUTER EDGES WHICH CONFORM SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE CONTOUR OF SAID INTERIOR OF SAID SHAVING HEADS WHEREBY HAIR EXTENDING THROUGH SAID HOLES IN SAID SHAVING AREA IS CUT OFF BY SAID CUTTING BLADES AND SAID LATHER ENTERS SAID SHAVING HEAD TO LUBRICATE BETWEEN THE SHAVING HEAD AND THE CUTTING BLADE, EACH OF SAID CUTTERS HAVING FIRST AND SECOND ENDS, MEANS ON EACH OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND ENDS FOR CONNECTING THE RESPECTIVE CUTTER TO ITS ASSOCIATED SHAFT WHEREBY SAID CUTTER MAY BE REVERSED TO UTILIZE BOTH CUTTING SIDES OF ITS BLADES. 